Texas continues to lead U.S. in job gains

(The Center Square) – Texas, once again, led the U.S. in job gains in August over the year, according to newly released Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

“Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 32 states and was essentially unchanged in 18 states and the District of Columbia,” BLS reported on Tuesday. The three most populous states reported the greatest job gains over the year.

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Texas reported the most significant increase of over 402,000 new jobs added from August 2022 to August 2023. California had the second-greatest number of over 335,200 jobs added; Florida boasted the third-highest number of over 270,300 jobs added.

The states that reported the largest percentage increase of jobs added were Nevada (3.9%), Texas (3%), and Florida (2.8%).

In response to the news, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, “Texas leads the nation once again, creating more jobs over the last 12 months than any other state. Meeting the needs of Texas employers by providing a pipeline of skilled workers is paramount to ensure expanded economic opportunity in communities across the state. That is why Texas continues to make significant investments in education, innovation, and workforce development.”

The BLS announcement comes after Texas in August again broke its own jobs records and surpassed the national employment growth rate for twelve consecutive months. Every month, Texas breaks its previous monthly record for having the greatest number of total jobs, greatest number of Texans employed and largest total labor force size in Texas history.

In response to the August records, Gov. Abbott said, “Texas continues to grow jobs at a faster rate than the nation thanks to our welcoming business climate, our hardworking entrepreneurs, and the strength of our young, skilled, diverse, and growing workforce.”

In August, “nonfarm payroll employment increased in 5 states, decreased in 3 states, and was essentially unchanged in 42 states and the District of Columbia,” the BLS reported.

In August, states reporting the largest job gains were North Carolina (+17,500), Massachusetts (+15,400), and Maryland (+12,400). States reporting the largest job gains by percentage increase were Montana (+0.7 percent), Nevada (+0.6 percent), and Maryland (+0.5 percent). States reporting job losses were Missouri (-13,700), Mississippi (-6,400), and Hawaii (-4,800).